Ducks News

Ducks Acquire Hagelin Plus Second and Sixth Round Draft Picks from the Rangers for Etem and a Second Round Pick

by
Staff Writer
/ Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks have acquired left wing Carl Hagelin and second-round (59th overall) and sixth-round (179th overall) selections in the 2015 NHL Draft from the New York Rangers in exchange for left wing Emerson Etem and a second-round (41st overall) pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Hagelin, 26 (8/23/88), collected 58-72=130 points with a +57 rating and 132 penalty minutes (PIM) in 266 career NHL games with the Rangers. Hagelin has also made four consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, recording 12-14=26 points with 39 PIM in 73 games. A native of Sodertalje, Sweden, Hagelin helped his country to a silver medal at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. He was also a member of Team Sweden at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship, earning a silver medal in his first major international tournament.

Selected by the Rangers in the sixth round (168th overall) of the 2007 NHL Draft, Hagelin was one of three Rangers to appear in all 82 games last season. With 17-18=35 points and a +18 rating, Hagelin tied for third among team leaders in game-winning goals (4), tied for second in even-strength goals (16) and second in shots on goal (185). The 6-0, 186-pound winger set career highs in games and shots, and matched a career best in goals in 2014-15.

Etem, 23 (6/16/92), scored 15-16=31 points with a +4 rating and 17 penalty minutes (PIM) in 112 career NHL games with Anaheim. The 6-1, 212-pound winger also appeared in 23 career Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Ducks, posting 6-2=8 points with a +5 rating and 14 PIM. Selected by Anaheim in the first round (29th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Etem split the 2014-15 season with the Ducks and Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Hagelin shared his thoughts on joining the Ducks via conference call from his native Sweden.

On joining the DucksYou’re not expecting to get traded, but if there was a team I could pick to get traded to, it would be the Anaheim Ducks. It’s a great organization and they have a great team. It’s a good place to be. I’m excited that Anaheim was the team that traded for me.

It’s always nice going to a team that has a lot of Swedes. I know Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg from before, and I know Hampus Lindholm is a promising player. I’m excited to get there and do my best.

On his contract statusI should be able to get something done pretty quickly with the Ducks. They traded for me, so they know what my needs are. I don’t think my agent and the Rangers really talked in terms of a contract extension. Maybe the Rangers saw others guys who signed, and what they signed for, and maybe they weren’t able to keep me. I’m hoping to get a deal done soon with Anaheim. I’m happy Anaheim traded for me.

On the difficulty of leaving the RangersIt’s always hard. You have a lot of friends. So many best friends are playing on that team. They have a lot of promising players. They’re going to be close to making the Stanley Cup every year. I loved the organization. They treated me well since Day 1. That’s the first NHL organization I played for. It’s going to be hard to leave, but at the same time, you realize you’re not going to play for same team your entire career in the NHL. Being able to play for the Ducks is extremely cool. They have so many good players and they always have a chance to win the Stanley Cup.

On where he was when he was notified of the tradeI was shocked. I was actually taking a shower and was about to head to my good friend’s girlfriend’s 30th birthday. I had a couple guys over, talking about the year, and I got the phone call. I called my agent back. I got a lot of texts, but I didn’t know it was true. It’s a different feeling - one I’ve never been through before. But at the same time, if there was a team I would want to get traded to, it was the Ducks.

On where he sees himself fitting into the lineupMy first and second year in the NHL, I played a lot in the top-six and produced even though I didn’t have any power-play time. I have a pretty good offensive upside, but it’s not my job to decide if I’m playing on the first, second, third or fourth line. At the same time, I put up pretty good points for not playing on extremely offensive lines. I’m looking forward to the opportunity. Whatever chance I get with the Ducks, I’m ready for it. But at the same time, I’ve always been a player who puts the team first. Whether that’s blocking shots on the PK or putting up points offensively. I’m 26 years old, turning 27 soon, so I’m hoping this year or next year I’m a top-six forward again.

On the possibility of playing alongside Getzlaf, Perry and KeslerAnaheim has an extremely good offensive core. They score a lot of goals and have some big players up front. With my speed, I could hopefully help out. I played with some pretty skilled players with the New York Rangers when I played with Brad Richards, Ryan Callahan and Marian Gaborik. I’m definitely ready for a challenge, whatever the challenge is. I’m going to work hard this summer. I haven’t spoken much to the management as far as what they want from me, but I always go in with the same mindset every year. I’m ready to do whatever it takes. I’m always trying to improve. That’s my mindset.